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Facebook is loosening up its rules for teenagers by allowing them post publicly on the social media site.

Effective immediately, people aged 13 to 17 can share posts with anyone, just like users over 18 years old. Previously, teens were only able to share content with friends and with friends of friends, or custom groups like family.

"Teens are among the savviest people using social media, and whether it comes to civic engagement, activism, or their thoughts on a new movie, they want to be heard," the company said in a statement.

When teen users pick a "public" audience for their post, Facebook will remind them with a message that says the information can be see by anyone, not just by people they know. They will have the option to change their minds, Facebook said.

Teens will also be allowed to have followers on Facebook, which means their public posts can be seen in people's News Feeds even if they are not friends.